Even though this isn't the last book, because I read them out of order, i did finish this series. I so enjoyed every book, and like a lot of readers, i wish i could stay at their family home and resort in Deep Haven. I could see this as a television series.

58291

I received a copy of this book from book fun.org and Tyndale Fiction for an honest review

When I started reading this series called , The Christiansen Family Series, I knew I had found a story that would change the way I think and look at things. In this latest installment, we find the youngest daughter , Amelia returning from abroad. It was not the trip she had hoped for and wanted to put that part of her life behind her. She returns to the safety of Deep Haven . While overseas she met a man who she wants to forget , but will that happen?

It's funny how life gives us twists and turns as we try to find ourselves. Amelia was experiencing just that as she tries to recover from a broken relationship she had with Roark St. John, whom she met on her trip abroad. She is certain that she can move on now that she is back home, but who shows up in her hometown? Well it's none other than Roark himself. What a surprise he will be to Amelia. She has already started to think of renewing her relationship with her old boyfriend , Seth.

The author weaves a very intriguing story that shows how Amelia struggles with the calling that God has on her life. She tries to work through her forgiveness with Roark and allows God to guide her. Seth seemed to be a bit pushy and not quite wanting to let Amelia make decisions on her own.

There are many facades to this amazing story and characters that each have to make decisions and allow themselves to listen to God. Many of us sometimes think we know better than God and make hasty decisions. In this book I appreciated the way the author gave us a sense of peace and hope as the characters journeyed through their decisions. Do we always listen to what God says to us? Are we quick to say no, and miss out on our destiny? I love Susan's writing and can't wait for her next book. Thank you for writing books that deal with family and relationships in a graceful way while giving us a deeper understanding of His love for us. ( )

Susan May Warren is an outstanding author! The words flowed smoothly and the characters interacted quite naturally. Tension felt palpable when it needed to, and witty humor deflated some of the angst when appropriate. Books like this are truly a pleasure to read.

Roark was by far my favorite character – and not just for the obvious dreamy-sigh reasons. Although… a *dreamy sigh* or two would not be amiss. Flawed but sincere, he earnestly loved Amelia and was determined to win her back. (Whether this works out for him or not, I won’t say. You’ll have to read the book to find out!) He didn’t care if he made a fool of himself or gave up everything – he just wanted the chance to prove himself. Plus, you know, he has the British accent sooooo… Yeah.

I did not, however, care for Amelia’s actions much of the time. I liked Amelia – her personality, her quirks, her heart. But I felt she was pretty immature in the way she treated both Seth and Roark. She would tell one man that she loved him, then encourage the other almost the next day. Granted, she is only 20 and that’s something I had to keep reminding myself as I read through the book. However, I had to remind myself of that so often that, to me, it seemed more of a character flaw than merely an age issue.

I have to admit too that I was at a slight disadvantage to begin with as I have not read any of the other books in the Christiansen family series OR the Deep Haven series. I know, I know. And I call myself an avid reader? In the beginning, I was a little lost since apparently the previous book had ended with Amelia returning home and Roark coming after her (the first time) only to be run out of town by her over-protective brothers. This was referenced in discussions with her friends and eventually explained fully – so I felt less lost – but at first I was confused. (My own fault – I should have read the other books lol. I will correct this oversight at the next available opportunity!) Also, there is a lot of backstory to the other characters that is hinted at and would probably have been better understood had I read the other stories. Therefore I would recommend that, while this book can be read as a stand-alone, you should probably read the series from the beginning if you haven’t already.

The issues of trust and faith in spite of failure that Warren addresses through Amelia’s dilemmas and through Roark’s past rang clear to me. I thought she wrote these struggles with both grace and truth, and I especially identified with the hymn Be Thou My Vision that played an important role in Amelia’s healing. (I walked down the aisle to this particular hymn at our wedding, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.)

Finally, the part of the story involving the Christiansen family et. al. ends on a bit of a cliffhanger that I’m sure acts as a set-up for the next (and final) book due out in early 2016. If you like series set in small towns and/or series that follow a particular family, you will really enjoy the Christiansen family series. I myself am looking forward to going back and playing catch up now that I’ve fallen in love with all the characters – I want to know their stories!

(I received a copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for only my honest review.)

Read my full review here: https://readingismysuperpower.wordpress.com/2015/07/04/review-the-wonder-of-you/ ( )

Characters Wrapped Themselves Around My Heart..

Susan Mae Warren has amazed me again. Every time I pick up one of her books in the Christiansen family series,in this case The Wonder of You, I am positive I will be bored with this extended family. Yet every time, Warren introduces her characters and makes them so realistic that their lives are tentacles, inexplicably entwined around my heart.

Who wouldn't thrill and agonize with Amelia as she sorts through her feelings for Seth, the high school boyfriend, and Rourk, the European sophisticate? Amelia bounces back and forth until she finds her true center in neither...which then allows her to see clearly which path to follow.

I loved the "side story" of Amelia's sister,Grace, and her husband Max and their struggles for normalcy amidst heartache. How fun to watch little orphaned Yulia, as she slowly but surely opens up to the least likely of the clan.

While the book has its moments of straight-out faith and truth, they are in small sound bites and natural in the contexts of conversations. At one point, John, the father, says to Rourk, "God wants you to obey Him not because of what you get in exchange, but simply because he asked. To give up everything simply for the wonder of knowing Him, experiencing Him, believing in Him. The Wonder of chasing after Him and abandoning all for Him." Interestingly enough, God used Rourk's own pursuit of Amelia to teach Rourk about Himself.

I am always happy to recommend a book in which the romance is good and clean, the characters irresistible, and life lessons from the Word of God are embedded in a natural way.

I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review. ( )